Zuma calls on churches to pray for ANC
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has pleaded with religious leaders not to pray for the demise of the government if they feel aggrieved by the ANC’s conduct.
He was addressing thousands of Twelve Apostles Church in Christ (TACC) congregants who packed the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban yesterday. The charismatic church, whose members arrived from all corners of the country and beyond, held an international Thanksgiving Day celebration that Premier Senzo Mchunu attended.
Zuma, who was invited as guest speaker, said religious leaders should give direction to the government “in a constructive way, without becoming permanent critics of the government”.
“When we go wrong, we need help. We need the church to pray for us, and not the opposition.
“We don’t expect them to pray for the government to fall down.”
Zuma said the church should teach people about unity and revive the “an injury to one is an injury to all” slogan.
He said religion should teach young people about the true meaning of democracy and freedom, because the concepts were being misinterpreted and abused by people who used them to be “rude” to government leaders.
The church’s president Professor Caesar Nongqunga had described EFF parliamentarians as disruptive and rude. “If you allow disrespect in Parliament, you will destroy this country. Respect yourself and elders. This democracy has taught people not
When we go wrong, we need help
to respect,” Nongqunga said.
Zuma disagreed, saying democracy and freedom of speech should not be blamed for anarchist behaviour. “No. It is people who misinterpret democracy and freedom. We must teach what democracy and freedom are about,” he said.
He said the creation of the ANC was based on church principles.
“Leaders of various faiths braved apartheid tyranny and persecution as they fought side by side with the liberation movement. Now that we have attained our freedom, we still continue to work with the church and indeed all faiths, in the struggle for a better life for all.”